Carmel City Council recap

What happened: The council introduced a bill dealing with Carmel Redevelopment Commission finances

What it means: The proposed ordinance would establish a revenue deposit fund so it’s easy to track the CRC’s TIF money. The bill would also specify which actions would be taken if there’s not enough TIF money available in the account.

What’s next: The bill was sent to the Finance, Administration and Rules Committee which meets July 17.

What happened: The council approved a new ordinance dealing with turning restrictions.

What it means: The ordinance would clear up some confusion about where cars can turn in two specific areas. It prohibits turning into Carmel High School’s main entrance between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The ordinance also prohibits a left turn to access the City Center parking garage through the median opening at the intersection of Range Line Road and Winona Drive.

What’s next: No further action needed.

Submitted photo

What happened: The council introduced an ordinance regarding weight restrictions on roads.

What it means: Due to the construction closure of U.S. 31, many large semi-trucks have been seen taking routes through Carmel, which leads some city officials to be concerned about wear-and-tear on roadways. And in some circumstances – such as the viral photo of a semi-truck stuck on the Main Street roundabout – these streets can’t accommodate large vehicles. This ordinance would add the following streets to the existing code: Old Meridian Street, Guilford Road from 116th Street to Old Meridian, Main Street from Illinois Street to Keystone Parkway, 116th Street from Illinois Street to Rohrer Road and Illinois Street from 116th Street to 136th Street. Local deliveries would be an exception.

What’s next: The ordinance is sent to the Utilities, Transportation and Public Safety Committee which met in special session July 14.

What happened: The CRC addressed the potential sale of a former Old Town dump site

What it means: As previously reported in the Current, the CRC received one bid for this property. It was from Old Town Design Group for $65,000 in cash and more than $168,000 in area improvements such as road repairs, improved connectivity and a pocket park. The minimum asking price was $203,000, but with the area improvements, the buyer would spend $233,000, so it’s possible that the council would approve this scenario.

What’s next: The council has to wait 30 days and then can negotiate with any possible buyers, including Old Town Design Group.

What happened: The stormwater utility and noise ordinance remain in committee.

What it means: Both of these ordinances have sat in committee for months, but it appears that there might be some progress soon on both of them.

What’s next: The ordinances were addressed in the Utilities, Transportation and Public Safety Committee which met in special session July 14.

What happened: The City Council removed the tax abatement for Pharmakon.

What it means: Pharmakon is a healthcare company that no longer has its base of operations here in Carmel, so the company had no problem losing its property tax abatement.

What’s next: The City Council voted unanimously to remove the tax abatement.